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Monkey House – Play Place

Feb 05 2017

The Monkey House is an indoor playground that specializes in private events such as birthday parties but offers open play hours Tuesday through Sunday.

We were lucky enough to be invited to a birthday party shortly after they opened. The Indoor Play Center is 5000 square and includes inflatable bounce houses, an obstacle course, an eighteen-foot slide as well as climbers and a foam pit. While not as elaborate as some of the city-owned indoor play areas, it is head and shoulders above any mall play area I’ve gone too.

What they really need to do is offer a game-day package for football season. I’d be lining up to go almost every Sunday if I could watch the packers in peace while they kids had a good time (and everyone had pizza).

Birthday Parties at The Monkey House

The Monkey House also offers a place to host birthday parties every day of the week except Monday. Private parties start at $179 for a ‘No frills, just Play!’ package. All other packages (starting at $289) include use of a party room and food.

Finding The Monkey House

We found the facility a little hard to find. The building is tucked back in a warehouse area of White Bear Lake. At the time Google Maps repeatedly led us to the wrong building and, at least in 2013, the sign was not easy to spot from the road. Especially if you are attending a birthday party, I would recommend leaving time to find the place. However, I note that our directory map has it labeled well.

Get Moving: Tot Times, Open Play, Gym & Swim Spots for Tots in the Twin Cities

Sep 18 2017

Tot Times and Open Gym was my savior when my firstborn was a squirrelly toddler who needed a space to run off his pent-up wintertime energy. A few years later, I had four littles under the age of 7 who were climbing the walls and testing the limits of my sanity. Perhaps you find yourself in the same boat? Browse through the listings below to find an open gym, open playtime or open swim near you and treat yourself to a (near) guaranteed naptime:

Disclaimer: While we do our best to keep up with changes, Tot Times, Open Play and Open Gym times are subject to change without notice. We recommend calling or clicking on the accompanying links to double check our information before heading out.

FFTC’s Ultimate Guide to Birthday Parties in the Twin Cities

Apr 28 2017

Looking for birthday party ideas for your child in the Twin Cities? We get it — the annual bash is a big deal, and as parents, we want to make our kids’ birthday parties the best EVER. Lucky for us, the Twin Cities metro area offers a plethora of birthday party venues from which to choose. We’ve rounded up over 100 of these Twin Cites party places to give you some inspiration for your next birthday celebration! Read More

Twin Cities Indoor Playgrounds and Play Areas Guide

Jan 08 2017

We all know the realities of raising kids in the Minnesota extremities: there’s got to be a place to go were we can escape the elements while still allowing those kids a place to burn off that extra energy. Enter our Twin Cities Indoor Playgrounds and Play Areas list. We hope you can use it to find a new space to wear those littles out — and perhaps catch yourself a break.

For more options on keeping the little ones moving throughout the chilly months, check out our Open Play, Gym & Swim Spots for Tots in the Twin Cities!

Twin Cities Indoor Playgrounds: North Metro

Jan 05 2016

Twin Cities Indoor Playgrounds: North Metro *** Check out our complete Family Fun Twin Cities Indoor Playgrounds Guide ***

Maple Maze at Maple Grove Community Center
12951 Weaver Lake Rd., Maple Grove
(763) 494-6500

Open Play hours:
Mon-Sat: 9am – 8pm
Sun: 10am – 6pm

Admission: $4.50 per resident/$5.50 per non-resident ages 1-12, adults and under 1 free. Twilight Special – $3 after 7pm Mon-Sat and Sun after 5pm.

Details: A 2011 renovation punched up the fun at this community gathering place. When I last visited with toddlers, the area devoted to them was pretty ho-hum; new additions give them more options for climbing and sliding if they’re not yet up to braving the “big maze”. The major play structure received updates as well. Four levels of new slides and obstacles to navigate have been installed, including pogo sticks and – will someone please explain this one to me – hoover rings? Parents (and kids) with sensitive stomachs should beware the multi-story orange-and-yellow spiral tube slides! Learn more about Maple Maze and all the Maple Grove Community Center has to offer here.

Eagles Nest Indoor Playground at New Brighton Community Center
400 10th St. NW, New Brighton
(651) 638-2130

Open Play hours:
Mon-Sat: 9am – 8pm
Sun: 11am – 5pm

Admission: $5.50/per child ages 1-12, adults and under 1 free. Twilight Special – $3 after 6pm Mon-Fri.

Details: Eagles Nest isn’t particularly large or fancy, but if you’re looking for a couple hours’ worth of play to tire out the kids on a winter day, this place will do the trick. The toddler zone is surprisingly spacious and includes a mini ball pit. There’s also a ball pit for the bigger kids as well as an 8-ft. climbing wall and a triple slide. I favored this playground when bringing preschoolers – it’s just the right size for them to play independently without the uneasiness of losing sight of them. An adjacent gym offers preschool open playtime on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10.30am – 1.30pm. Read More

My Plan for Getting My Family to the Ikebana Show at Como

Nov 11 2013

The Ikebana Show at Marjorie McNeely Conservatory

Ikebana Show

Marjorie McNeely Conservatory

11/11/2013 to 11/17/2013

10:00 am

This week, the conservatory at Como Zoo will feature artists from Ikebana International’s Minneapolis St Paul Chapter. Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging — which is probably more appealing to me than my family on the surface. How do you make this a family event. My husband is easy. He likes photography and flowers are one of his favorite subjects. For the kids, as with all things artistic, I’ll make it hands-on. Before we head out, we’ll watch the Hulu video below to give everyone a basic understanding of the art of Ikebana.

The Cardboard Collective is a website dedicated to inspiration for projects, cardboard links, information about tools and techniques, and also a bit about sustainable building, crafting and living.

The Cardboard Collective is a website dedicated to inspiration for cardboard projects, links, tools and techniques; as well as sustainable building, crafting and living.

When we get home, we can try making our own arrangements. Education.com has kid-friendly instructions we can follow, while the teacup arrangements made by the Cardboard Collective really inspire me. Who doesn’t love tiny versions of anything? In fact, on our way home, I think we’ll stop at the thrift store so we can each pick out our own teacup for the arrangements. One of the great things about Ikebana is that we should be able to purchase one inexpensive bouquet to share and then supplement with yard greenery.

(oh, and if this fails, we can always visit the monkey house.)

Joy Peters is a co-founder of Family Fun Twin Cities.

Top 10 Family Picks: September in the Twin Cities

Sep 13 2017

Make the most of Fall’s grand entrance with 10 highlights your whole family can get into during the month of September in the Twin Cities.

1. Visit an apple orchard

According to family tradition, Fall is upon us once 1) the State Fair has wrapped and 2) we’ve made tracks to one our our favorite apple orchards! We love seeking out one of the quieter, less-traveled orchards on the outskirts of the metro to pick a peck, get up close to some farm animals and take a hayride. Options in the Twin Cities run the gamut from large operations filled with elaborate playgrounds and numerous kiddie attractions to more simple spots to spend the day. Some of our favorites include Minnetonka Orchards (amazing apple cider donuts!), Fall Harvest Orchard, and Fischer’s Croix Farm Orchard, sponsor of FFTC’s annual Orchard Crawl on Sept 24. For a dozen or so more ideas, check out our Guide to Twin Cities Apple Orchards.

2. Lone Oak Days Fall Festival

Dozens of family-friendly fall festivals dot the Twin Cities this time of year. Last autumn we discovered this gem down in Eagan. Lone Oak Days Fall Festival takes place at the historic Holz Farm (9/23-24, 11am-4pm) and is packed full of such down-home fun as pony rides, virtual cow milking, old-fashioned farm chores and a pumpkin pie-eating contest. Admission, along with many activities, is FREE; select attractions require a small fee. For a list of festivals across the Twin Cities metro, try our Fall Festival Calendar. Read More

Budget Twin Cities September Events & Activities

Aug 31 2017

It doesn’t have to break the bank to entertain the family away from home in the Twin Cities! You’ll find September’s seasonal and ongoing events and activities listed here that all cost $5-$6 or less per person to attend. For more ideas on budget and FREE family outings, check our Family Fun Calendar or hop over to our Free Twin Cities September Family Events & Activities page.